[Changes of activity of the endothelial system in experimental heart failure].
Despite obvious participation of endothelins in pathogenesis of heart failure therapeutic approaches to the use of endothelin receptor antagonists remain to be elucidated. Experimental heart failure caused by prolonged infusion of norepinephrine is associated with diminished endothelin induced coronary constricting effect of stimulation of ET(A) receptors and inversion of coronary dilating effect of stimulation of these receptors. The latter effect is mediated by smooth muscle ET(B)-receptors and is indicative of functional derangement of vascular control by endothelial cells. The use of selective ET(A)-antagonist is effective on early stages of heart failure while on later stages administration of nonselective ET(AB)-antagonist produces more pronounced effect.